AFCON top scorers ahead of Round of 16 fixtures

Abia Warriors technical adviser, Imama Amapakabo, has said that their Matchday 18 victory over Warri Wolves was hard-fought.
The Umuahia-based club secured a 1-0 win over Warri Wolves at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Sunday.

Sunday Megwo’s last-minute penalty proved decisive in the game.

Amapakabo admitted that his team battled hard to claim the victory.

“The game against Warri Wolves was a difficult game for us,” Amapakabo told Abia Warriors media.

“Warri Wolves did well by containing my players, we didn’t do well in the offensive but I’m satisfied with the victory.”

Abia Warriors moved up to third position on the league table with 30 points. Their next game will be against Plateau United in Jos.

NPFL: Amapakabo relishes Abia Warriors’ win over Warri Wolves

FIFA have unveiled their Team of the Year on Tueday.

The Best XI, which have been lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, was revealed at a ceremony in Doha.

It has Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal – first and second, respectively, in the Ballon d’Or rankings earlier this year – as the forward line.

The Premier League is represented by Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City) and Cole Palmer (Chelsea).

Others are Jude Bellingham (England), Vitinha (PSG), Pedri (Barcelona) in midfield.

The defence is all PSG: Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho and Achraf Hakimi.

The Parisian outfit dominate FIFA’s Best XI after winning the Champions League, Ligue 1 and the French Cup in the 2024/25 season.

FIFA reveals 2025 Team of the Year [Full list]

Kwara United technical adviser, Ashifat Suleiman, has expressed disappointment with his team’s defeat to Bendel Insurance.

Kwara United were defeated 2-0 by Bendel Insurance at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday.

Akpan Emmanuel and Kayode Oke were on target for Bendel Insurance in the game.

Suleiman admitted that his team did not plan for a defeat in the encounter.

“We came here to pick at least a point, but it is disappointing that we lost,” Suleiman reacted in a chat with the club’s media.

“We will go again in the second round and surely make up for the lost points.”

Kwara United will do battle with Bendel Insurance in the reverse fixture in Ilorin when the second round commences in January.

NPFL: Suleiman disappointed with Kwara United’s defeat to Bendel Insurance